Communities and Municipalities to Maintain Transportation Subsidies Despite Decree Repeal
Thu 23rd Jan, 2025
The recent repeal of the decree that provided transportation subsidies has resulted in the reversion of prices for commuter trains, such as Cercanías and Rodalies, to their 2022 levels. This means that free passes for Renfe services, including Cercanías, Rodalies, and conventional medium-distance trains, will no longer be valid, and state-funded bus lines will also see an end to their subsidies. Consequently, the direct financial assistance previously offered to communities and municipalities to help them reduce transportation fares by at least 50% will also cease. The state had been responsible for covering 30% of these costs, contingent upon local governments making up the remaining amount to achieve the minimum reduction. In response to this situation, several regions and cities have declared their intent to uphold existing fare reductions. Some regions have indicated that they will continue to provide these discounts temporarily while awaiting further guidance from the federal government regarding a potential new decree aimed at preserving transportation discounts. Conversely, Cantabria has announced that it will not maintain existing prices and is urging the Prime Minister to reinstate free train services, following the repeal of the decree by the opposition party. **Albacete** has confirmed its commitment to maintain urban transport subsidies, temporarily absorbing the 30% discount that the federal government previously provided, in addition to a local 20% reduction aimed at halving the cost of public transport passes. **Andalusia** will continue its regional subsidy efforts, maintaining a 20% discount while calling on the national government to fulfill its obligations and provide its share of funding, as per previous agreements with citizens. In **Córdoba**, the Municipal Bus Company has stated it will sustain its current 50% fare discount until January 31. Following this date, only the 20% municipal discount will remain, pending anticipated action from the central government to rectify the situation. **Asturias** has confirmed that individuals holding the CONECTA card will continue to pay unchanged rates, capped at a monthly maximum of 30 euros. This pricing includes all public road transport services within the region, covering municipal transport in cities such as Oviedo, Gijón, and Mieres, along with local train services. The **Balearic Islands** government affirmed that free public transport will remain available, despite the recent rejection of the central government's omnibus decree. They also noted that the opposition party plans to propose legislation to maintain this benefit at the national level. In **Barcelona**, the Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM) assured that existing public transport discounts will be preserved, and any changes to fares will be communicated officially. Should state-level subsidies be eliminated, ATM will maintain the agreed-upon 20% reduction. **Cantabria** faces a unique situation as free Cercanías train services will no longer be available, and intercity bus fares will increase following the repeal of state subsidies. However, municipal transport in key cities like Santander, Torrelavega, and Castro Urdiales will continue to benefit from the current reductions for the time being. The **Castilla y León** region has decided to uphold its discounts on intercity bus and high-speed train services. The regional government will maintain a 20% discount for frequent bus users and a 25% discount for select high-speed train services, despite the loss of the additional 30% provided by the national government. In the **Community of Madrid**, officials announced that public transport fares will remain discounted by 60% for now, urging the national government to honor its financial commitments to support these reductions. **Euskadi** has reported that while discussions with the Ministry of Transport are ongoing, there will be no immediate fare changes for services directly managed by regional operators. This includes Cercanías services and tram systems in major cities. **Extremadura's** Mérida has committed to offering 100% subsidized urban bus passes until at least June. **Galicia** will continue to provide a 50% fare discount for intercity transport and FEVE train services through the end of the month while ensuring a minimum 20% discount throughout 2025. **Murcia** is also continuing its subsidies, maintaining a 20% reduction for intercity transport passes. In **Navarra**, the local government plans to keep current fare structures for urban buses, while intercity passes will remain valid until their contracted journeys are completed. The **Cabildo de Tenerife** has assured that public transport will remain free throughout 2025, despite political challenges faced at the national level. **Zaragoza** will keep its current public transport pricing while awaiting further developments on a potential new decree from the national government. This situation remains dynamic as regions and municipalities continue to announce their strategies in response to the repeal of the national transportation subsidy decree.
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